21.   The patrol vessel fired back with machineguns, sinking the speedboat with all aboard.

22.   It was the first time a Japanese vessel had fired shots in anger since World War II.

23.   Russian vessels fired warning shots at Japanese fishing boats on Tuesday and Thursday near the four Russian-held islands, which are claimed by Japan.

24.   Russian coast guard vessels fired on and hit three Japanese trawlers near Russian territorial waters off the southern Kuril islands, ITAR-TASS news agency said Saturday.